Favorites: the Wanderlust Edition

In honor of the conclusion of my time in Africa,

I've compiled a collection of my favorite photographs I've taken while wandering around this earth the past four years--

those wanderings that took me out of Africa (with the exception of the first photo...).

For my favorite photographs from my years in Zimbabwe: go here!

For my favorite photographs from my years in Senegal: go here!

For my favorite photographs of animals: go here!

The Harbor at Sunset - Alexandria, Egypt - Egypt: Selected Photos

The cloisters at Toledo, Spain's Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes -- Toldeo's Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes

The Cherry Blossom in harbor in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, United States - Sapphire sea the sun sails like a golden galleon

The sun through a storm of hail, thunder, lightning, and rain in Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming, United States

Yellowstone: The Sun Through the Storm

Peleș Castle - Transylvania, Romania - Peleș Castle...what a palace should look like!

Thomas Jefferson's Serpentine Walls near the Gardens, the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

The Lawn in Summertime

The beyond breathtaking dome of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain

Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena Cathedral

The Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and the Tidal Basin with the Washington, D.C., skyline.

Washington Monument: The World's Tallest Stone Structure

Hot air ballooning in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains!

Snapshots From the Air: Blue Ridge Mountains Ballooning!

Thermal area near West Thumb on Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming, United States

Yellowstone: Danger Thermal Area

A covered bridge in Woodstock, Vermont, United States

A wanderlust into the snows of New England

Sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Blowing Rock, North Carolina - Blowing Rock

The majestic snow-capped Rila Mountain, Rila Monastery - Bulgaria

Snow Capped Mountains? Stunning Monastery? Yes, please.

The Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia - The Old Town Alexandria Waterfront

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the U.S., Washington, D.C. - the Lincoln Memorial

That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Traveling along the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina - The Blue Ridge Parkway

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A wanderlust into the snows of New England

I love Africa, but I love to travel, a lot.

And some good old fashioned Americana recently appeased the wanderlust in me.

A quick trip to New England to see a best friend who humored me, bringing me to Woodstock, Vermont.

Where it snowed the entire time we visited.  Those (lucky enough?) to know me, know one thing:

Christmas, winter, and snow bring me joy.  Maybe too much joy.  Think the joy of a five year old in a toy store.  That type of joy.

And best friend made it happen.  Gloriously in Vermont, complete with snow sculptures!

Vermont is known for its covered bridges----in all my wandering, I'd actually never seen a covered bridge!

And then the icing on the cake: a beautiful snow covered tree with its Christmas lights still on it.

I think I may have spontaneously combusted from the combination of all things I love and can't find in Africa.

And how adorable is Woodstock?

National Geographic Magazine named Woodstock one of America's Most Picturesque Villages.

It was the perfect solution to my wanderlust.  Thank you, friend.

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The Blue Ridge Parkway

After lovely visits to New York City and Blowing Rock, I travel along the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

And continued to fall more in love with the Blue Ridge.

Which, for those following this blog for awhile, realize that seems impossible...

And, oh!  What colors.  And, oh! Autumn how I miss you while in Africa.

We crossed this swinging bridge which was at a mile high. 

It was cold and windy I mean cold. Cold. Like this is definitely not Africa up there!

The peak on the right is the peak of Grandfather Mountain---where that bridge led us!

Stunning.

Part of Grandfather Mountain.

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Blowing Rock

While traveling recently in the United States, I visited Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

The view of my beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains was breathtaking.

I remembered what it was like to have a proper Autumn, something I miss dearly while in Africa.

Blowing Rock is both a wonderful, little mountain town and an actual rock.

I want this house.  Seriously.

The Blowing Rock.  Apparently North Carolina's oldest traveling attraction...

Sunrise over the mountains.

Such a different sunrise from the last time I watched it in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Sublime.

From Blowing Rock, I followed this lovely country road....

...to the wonderful Blue Ridge Parkway.  

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Central Park Before the Storm (An Ode to NYC)

Central Park, New York City.

New York City's has had a rough time lately after being hit by Hurricane Sandy.

I was lucky to visit New York City right before the storm hit.

Literally, right before...as in almost didn't get off the island to continue the rest of my visit to the United States.

It seemed fitting to post these photos as a nice reminder of the loveliness of Central Park, even just before Sandy hit.

Especially since the news seemed to be overwhelmed with photos of the storm's damage.

I loved all the people tucked into the park's nooks, reading away the autumn day.

We later asked this woman what she was doing.
She was preparing flower arrangements for her sister's wedding which was to happen in 30 minutes at this spot.

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